Having trouble with storm damages repair?
Storm damage comes in all shapes and sizes, which means so does storm damages repair. Whether it’s a flooded basement from a torrential downpour, damaged or broken windows or siding from hail, or a fallen tree branch from extreme winds, each type of damage requires a special kind of repair. And along with the various repair methods will undoubtedly come some troubles. Here’s what to do when you encounter problems when dealing with storm damage.
Trouble #1: Using the Wrong Tools
One of the keys to successful storm damage restoration is using the right tools. Assessing the damage is the first step to determining what you’ll need to do the repairs. Water damage is one of the most common types of storm damage. It’s also one of the hardest things to get cleaned up the right way without having long-term issues from residual moisture. The right tools make all the difference when it comes to water damage. Using the right extraction machines, the right fans, dryers, and dehumidifiers, will all make a difference in how effective your cleanup is.
What about other storm damage, such as a downed tree? Again, you need the right tools. While it might be tempting to start hacking away at the tree with a chainsaw, keep in mind this isn’t generally the best approach. For one thing, the tree could fall further into your house as it’s cut into pieces. Additionally, if you’re trying to drag the tree off your house you could cause even more damage. The right way to address a tree or downed branches is with a crane to carefully lift the tree off of your home.
Trouble #2: Using the Wrong Products
Many times storm damage can result in a fire. Whether it’s from a lightning strike or from power lines or from damage within the electrical system in the home, fire is fairly common. Using the wrong products when dealing with the fire damage will definitely give you troubles. Using a steam cleaner or some general house cleaning products will likely cause more damage than using products engineered specifically for dealing with soot and smoke residue.
Need another example? Water in your home after a big storm needs not only extraction, but treatment for mold and mildew that are likely to follow, especially if the water isn’t completely dealt with. It’s a common misconception that a little bleach will get rid of mold. The truth is you will need products designed specifically to treat the quick-to-multiply menace that is mold.
Trouble #3: Doing Things in the Wrong Order
Understanding how storm damage effects a home is key to understanding how to take action to repair it. You can’t start cleaning your carpet before you complete water extraction and drying, and you can’t start to repair the interior walls before you remove the tree from the house, and you can’t repair the landscaping grade around your home before you repair the cracked foundation.
Storm damage repair is a science and there is a right way and a wrong way to address all of the issues that go with storm damage. Understanding how to secure your home, assess the damage, estimate the work to be done, and then do the work takes knowledge and experience. This type of knowledge is something most homeowners just don’t have, and why should they? You can’t be an expert at everything.
